US-military-Navy-McCain

US-military-Navy-McCain
Warship's name expanded to include ailing US senator McCain
Washington, July 12, 2018 (AFP) - Navy officials on Thursday officially
expanded the name of a warship to honor John McCain, the senior Republican
lawmaker from Arizona who ran for president in 2008.
The USS John S. McCain guided-missile destroyer now bears the names of
three men -- all of whom share exactly the same moniker.
It was originally named after John McCain's grandfather, Admiral John S.
McCain Jr., who once headed the Pacific Command; and his grandfather, Admiral
John S. McCain, who was a commander during World War II.
"Today, we add the story of Senator John S. McCain to the spirit of the
mighty vessel which already carries the legacy of his father and grandfather,"
Navy Secretary Richard Spencer said at a ceremony aboard the vessel, which is
docked at Yokosuka in Japan.
"As a warrior and a statesman who has always put country first, Senator
John McCain never asked for this honor, and he would never seek it. But we
would be remiss if we did not etch his name alongside his illustrious
forebears."
McCain served in the Navy during the Vietnam War when, as an aviator, he
was shot down and spent more than five years in captivity.
In a statement McCain, who is battling brain cancer, said he was "deeply
honored" to be added to the name of the destroyer.
"My father and grandfather dedicated their entire lives to their naval
service. The greatest honor of my life was to serve in the company of heroes,"
he said.
After retiring from the Navy, McCain entered politics, serving as a
congressman and senator for Arizona.
Though he has not been seen in Washington for months, he still heads the
influential Senate Armed Services Committee.
In 2008, he made a failed bid for the White House, when he ran alongside
then Alaska governor Sarah Palin against Barack Obama.
The USS John S. McCain is currently undergoing repairs in Japan after it
collided with a tanker on August 21, 2017, killing 10 sailors and injuring
five others.
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